The principal allegedly told the pupils that the provincial department had instructed her not to take those who failed back to the school.

PUPILS at a Limpopo school have been left frustrated after their principal allegedly refused to allow them to repeat matric.

The principal allegedly told the pupils that the provincial department had instructed her not to take those who failed back to the school.

The pupils at Motsheudi High School in GaSekgopo village, about 70km east of Polokwane, said they had even gone to the school with their parents in an effort to convince the principal to re-admit them, but that the principal still refused.

They said those who did not qualify to write supplementary exams were told never to return to school.

Approached for comment the principal, identified only as TM Chabalala, said the allegations were untrue.

She said those who had failed matric were taken back and that some refused to return to the school on the basis that they wanted to write supplementary examinations.

She said the school had admitted 156 matriculants last year and that 68 of them had failed, with 32 qualifying for supplementary exams.

Departmental spokesman Pat Kgomo confirmed yesterday that they had received reports that some schools did not take back repeaters.

"We are acting on the reports and we will direct the schools to admit first-time repeaters," Kgomo said.

- frankm@sowetan.co.za